What is this switch for?

[Shaw RX]

What is this switch for? It's down by the wing mirror switches. 

When you flick it, you can hear a sound like a little miniature Hoover from behind the dashboard, in the same area as the switch itself. 

Have a look and listen to the video. 

IMG_2483.MOV

[Spacewagon52]

Have you looked at your manual?

[Normski]

Looks like an aftermarket thing and not part of the original. Does the car have front parking sensors? If so, I would have said that - but a little strange if it's making a noise!

[Shaw RX]

I haven't looked at the manual!!!! Probably a good place to start. 

 

No, it doesn't have front sensors. It is only a quiet noise, but definitely activated by the switch. 

[DanD]

This is definitely aftermarket. I can hear the sound... sounds a bit like a fan... does it go on all the time the switch is on?

[Shaw RX]

I haven't left it on long enough to find out. I will try leaving it on and see if it cuts on and off. 

[rayaans]

Definitely aftermarket - Id be inclined to look underneath the dash or atleast at the side of it if there is access to see where the wire goes.

[Silversalmon]

9 hours ago, Shaw RX said:

What is this switch for? It's down by the wing mirror switches. 

When you flick it, you can hear a sound like a little miniature Hoover from behind the dashboard, in the same area as the switch itself. 

Have a look and listen to the video. 

IMG_2483.MOV

[Goldberg]

if it sounds like a fan maybe a home made seat cooler

[Shaw RX]

I guess it could be if it cooled my seat. It doesn't lol. 

Still haven't figured this out!!!!!!!!

[JoeLex]

Please excuse my english... I'm from Germany.

Do you have the "premium navigation system" with DVD playback?

Usually Lexus uses these swiches to enable "DVD playback while driving".

It cuts the speed signal and simulates the brake signal.

[Shaw RX]

Perfect English. Danke shöne. 

I will give this a try as I do have the premium nav with DVD. 

[welland]

On 7/1/2017 at 3:15 PM, Shaw RX said:

Perfect English. Danke shöne. 

I will give this a try as I do have the premium nav with DVD. 

And the answer is.....?

[rich1068]

Do you have one of these between your front seats?

[Shaw RX]

It’s not a switch to watch DVD. I wish it was!!! 😂 

so, it still makes a noise like a tiny hairdryer. 

Anyine any ideas????

[Spacewagon52]

Could it be a suplimentary cooling fan? Does the car have a tow bar?

[Shaw RX]

Nah. No tow bar. I was thinking cooling - but no idea what it would be cooling? Other than my feet???

[Parrot of Doom]

Perhaps its a switch to turn a preheating system on.

[grantwils]

It's either an auxiliary heater or it's similar to the REST function in a merc where it continues to circulate the heat in the system for 15-30 mins after car stops.

For the REST function to operate it needs to work regardless of whether the ignition is on or not. Does it? An auxiliary heater wouldn't need that. 

Have a feel above/below the dash for vents that come on only if the switch is operated. 

[DanD]

Does it work with the engine and ignition off?

Have you switched it on an left it running for a while to see what happens?

[ChrisM]

Have you spoken to the previous owner/dealer/garage ?

[iwonder]

Looks like aftermarket fitment. Odd to fit a fan though

[Brian26]

I seem to remember somwhere that the radio/cd player got hot on some of the 400s. Some people fitted a small PC cooling fan near the unit to help with cooling. Coold it be that is what this is? It would tend to get noisy if the bearings where on the way out. Found this after a bit of looking not the one I was thinking of but close.

Bri

Edited November 21, 2017 by Brian26
More info

[Shaw RX]

On 16/11/2017 at 10:23 AM, grantwils said:

It's either an auxiliary heater or it's similar to the REST function in a merc where it continues to circulate the heat in the system for 15-30 mins after car stops.

For the REST function to operate it needs to work regardless of whether the ignition is on or not. Does it? An auxiliary heater wouldn't need that. 

Have a feel above/below the dash for vents that come on only if the switch is operated. 

I’m gonna have a play around today. This sounds like the most logical explanation so far!!!

Although, it would be in connection with the ICE cooling too. 

Thanks for everyone’s input so far!!